Tasso Ham

No, despite the name, Tasso is not traditional ham and is made from the pork shoulder rather than the hind leg. The shoulder is heavily trimmed of fat before being rubbed with a spicy Cajun seasoning blend.

Because it is intensely salty, spicy, and smoky, Tasso is rarely eaten on its own. Instead, it is diced up and used as a flavor-building ingredient in classic Southern dishes like grits, gumbos, and jambalaya.

The vibrant red color of Tasso comes from the heavy application of cayenne pepper and paprika in the curing rub. These spices penetrate the meat during the curing and hardwood smoking process, creating a distinct red crust.

Because it is cured and thoroughly smoked over hardwood, Tasso is technically fully cooked and safe to eat straight from the package. However, its aggressive, spicy flavor profile means it is almost exclusively used as a cooking ingredient rather than sliced deli meat.